Card sorting device



y 1953 o. J. SCHOMMER 2,644,459

- CARD SORTING DEVICE Filed June 14, 1950 7 sheetswshee t 1 OLIVER 15 away- R.

ATTORNEY o. ..I. SCHOMJMER cm soa'r'ms" DEVICE July 7; 1953.

7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 14. 1950 I Ouvara J. ScHoMMER INVEN TOR.

ATTORNEY July 7, 1953 O. J. "smm cm seams DEVICE Fi led June 14, i950 7 Shets-Sheet :s

OLNER J. SCHOMMER INVENTOR.

HTTO RNEY Q.- SQHQMMER.

July 7, 1953 CARD som'mc DEVICE Filed June 14, 1950, Sheets-,sh t 4 0' 24m a7o 300 330 a o CAM 69 cam 1| CHM 73 F 13 INVENTORQ Ouvz-a 'J. SCHOMMER;

aimoaumr.

July} 7,1953 r OY.J. sgHoMMER 2,644,459

' CARD SORIQT'ING DEVICE 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June 14."i95;o H

g- 1/5 n3 OLIVER JficHomw-za INVENTOR.

f 817%! ATTORNEY o'. J. scHoMMER July 7, 1953 cm somiriipn'vxcs Filed June 14 i950 ELECTRO MAGNET OLIVER J. SCHOMMER INVEN TOR.

Patented July 7, 1953 CARD 'SORTING DEVICE.

Oliver J. SchommenMeli'ose Park, 111., assignor toJohnson Fare Box Company, Chicago, 111.,

a corporation of Delaware Application June 14, 1950, Serial No. 168,005

17 Claims. 401. 129-16.1)

This invention relates to a card sorting machine. .More specifically, it relates to a machine which utilizes cards having a plurality ofprojections disposed at one edge and a metal armature at another edge. The projections are clipped off in accordance with a predetermined code and when it is desired to sort out all of the cards which are similarly coded, theyare placedv in a machine. stops are set up according to the code, and thereafter a magnet is brought up to the armatures and is drawn away from them to carry with it the cards which have had the projections, adjacent the stops, cut oil.

This structure is generally disclosed in the Whitson patent, No. 2,002,808 of May 28, 1935. In the Whitson machine, no attempt wasmade to align the cards against the magnet. The armatures on the cards are small so that the cards can be inserted in a typewriter. This limits the amount of metal contained'in the armatures and consequently limits the magnetic pull which can be exerted on the cards. Under such conditions, the loss in pull due to even asmall air gap between the armature and magnet results in a high percentage of failures. This has been overcome by aligning the armatures against the magnet. Further, the jumping or the cards to meet the magnet in the prior art machine resulted in damage to the tabs of the cards when dressing the cards against the magnet before the power is applied and by slow withdrawal.

Again, in the prior art device, the magnet was relied upon to tilt the card. It was found that this required even more power than the'lateral displacement required and resulted in many'failures because of the limited magnetic force. This has been overcome by providing positive mechanical means for lifting the card.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine which is one hundred percent efiicient in withdrawing selected cards."

Another object is to provide means for positively aligning and-separating all of the cards in'a tray prior to sorting. r

Yet another object is to provide meansfor moving the magnet through a predetermined path to engage, withdraw and] lift the cards which respond to the code.

Aofurther object of the invention is to provide a system for controlling the cycle of the magnet. These .and other objects will become apparent from a study of thisspecificatiOn and, 51. 3? draw-- condition.

Figure 17" is a front elevation of the mecha- 45. nism of Figures Hand 15. Y

in preset condition.

. ings which are attached'hereto, are made a part thereof and in which: a

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the machine showing the magnet and card dressing means.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the machine of Figure 1 showing the dressing mechanism.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the machine of Figure 1, viewed from the right, and showing the magnet operating means.

Figure 4 is a partial elevation of the machine taken from the right of Figure 2showing the card dressing mechanism. 7

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 5--5 of Figure 2 showing the dresser bar mounting. r

Figure 6 is a detailed top view of the dresser roll in operation showing how the cards are dressed.

Figure '7 is a sectional elevation taken substantial-1y on line 1 of Figure 3 showing the magnet in its normal position tures of the cards.

Figure 8 is. a view similar to Figure 7 but showing the magnet with the attached cards withdrawn laterally from the rest of the cards.

Figure 9 is a sectional elevation taken substantially on line 99 of Figure 3 showing the magnet in the position where it is about to be tilted. v

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 showing the magnet in its fully tilted position.

Figure 11 is an elevation of the cam H.

Figure 12 is an elevation of the cam 13.

Figure 13 is a time motion diagram of the.

cams.

Figure 14 is a top View of the keyboard and cam control mechanism.

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken on line 5-45 of Figure 14 of the mechanism of Figure 14 showing-the stop bars and tab cutting means Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure l5.but with the mechanism in the normal or restored Figure 18 is a" sectional view taken substantially on line Iii-l8 of Figure 14 showing the J tab cutter mechanism.

Figure 19 is a diagrammatic view of the wiring and the control mechanisms.

adjacent the arma- I and 2 represent a sheet metal frame provided with suitable feet 3. The upper side of the left portion of the frame (Figures 1, 2 and 4) is provided with a guide flange 5 to facilitate the reception of the card holding tray I which rests upon sleeves H5 which are mounted on the ends of bars II5, transversely mounted in the frame. The juncture of the frame and flange forms a horizontal seat 9 which, in addition to the fore and aft support of the cards afforded by the tray 7, supports the ends of the cards II] and holds the tabs I I of the cards above the stop bars I3. The opposite ends of the cards are supported by the seat formed by frame flange Iii-as shown in Figures 1 and 7 to 10.

It will be seen from Figures 4 and? that the card supports of the tray I drop below the level of.

the tabs I I so that the cards will be free to move laterally on the tray and seats 9' and I5. The

guide comb I! for the stop bars I3 is cut away at I9 to provide clearance for the tray.

CARD DRESSING MECHANISM Figures 2, 4, 5 and 6 Ithas been learned that tWoimporta-ntfactors ness of the leversand the holesin the ends of thelevers are larger than the diameter of the bearing so that the levers may pivot about the axis of the bearing and also pivot in a plane which includes the axis, as is shown by dashed lines in Figure 5. v

A U-shaped rail 25 haselongated slots 21 near either end, the edges of which ride on studs 29 mounted on the frame.

A spring 3| is connected between a pin-33 on the rail and a pin 35 on frame I to: hold the rail normally with the forward ends of the slots stopped by the studs 29.

The forward end of the rail has an car 31 bent outwardly so that it will be contacted by a roller 39 mounted on the bell crank II which is pivotally mounted at 43 on'a bracket 45 attached to frame I.

A shoulder stud 41 passes through a slot 49 in each of the dressing levers 2| and is screwed into the rail 25. A spring 5'I is confined between the head of the stud and the lever so as to hold the latter normally against the rail, as :shown in Figure 5, although the lever may pivot to the dashed line position against the action of spring 5|.

The top end of each lever is bent inwardly at right angles to form a platform 53' on which a dressing disc or roller 55 is rotatably mounted by pin 51.

As shown in Figure 4', the rollers 55 contact the armatures 59 on the cards I0 under the: pressure of the springs 5| and as the lever 4| is actuated The spring 3| will then return the rollers and arms 2| to their normal positions.

CARD WITHDRAWING MEANS Figures 1, 3, 7 to 13 inclusive A bracket 6| is mounted on the side 2 of the frame and supports a motor 63 which is geared to drive shaft 65 mounted in bearings 66 in the bracket; Fixed to the shaft are two cams 6 1 which impart a horizontal movement to the magnet, a cam 69 which tilts the magnet and. two cams II and I3 which actuate the switches indicated generally by Hand 11 respectively.

A pivot shaft I9 is also mounted in bearings 8| in. the bracket and supports the electromagnet assembly indicated generally by 83.

Mounted on shaft I9, adjacent each end thereof, isa cast member 85 which has the form of a the rollers will rock in an are A forward and back bell crank. One arm of each crank carries a roller 8'! which rides on a cam 61 and the other arm of which is pivotally connected at 89 to an ear 9| of the soft steel, magnetic housing 93 for the magnet coil 95. This coil is Woundaround the soft steel core 91 which is fixed to the housing. A non- I magnetic plate or lip 99 is disposed below and in contact with the core 91 and projects outwardly beyond it and the housing at a level below that of the flange I5 on the frame 2, as is clearly shown in Figures '7 and 8.

As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the housing also extends below the coil in the region of the cam 69.

A pair of springs I9! are mounted on shaft 19' and are applied to the'member so as to rotate it counterclockwise (Figs. 7 and-8) so that rolls 81 will follow the cam.

OPERATION Figure '7 depicts the normal starting position of the parts. In this position the magnet assembly occupies its innermost position adjacent the armatures I2 of the cards I0, so that when the cards are dressed by the rolls 55, they will be forced toward and into contact with the edge of the housing 93 and the armature 91. As noted above, the lip 99 is disposed below the level of the cards I0.

As shaft 65 rotates counterclockwise (Fig. '7), the roller 81 will rise, as shown by the time-motion diagram (Fig. 13), and withdraw the magnet in a substantially straight line motion on the roller I05, away from the cards II! to the position shown in Figure 8. The cards which are not held by the selector 'bars I3 move with the magnet.

Near the end of this motion of the magnet, the cam 69 becomes effective to raise the roller I03. This tilts the levers IOI and roll I05 is elevated to tilt the magnet about the pivot 89 to the Figure 10 position.

The lip 99, which extends outwardly beyond the armature 91, thus engages the lower side of the selected cards and tilts them, as shown in Fig. 10, so that the right-hand corners thereof are above the level of the remainder of the cards.

It will be seen that since the armature 91 and the top edge 94 of the housing 93 are in substantially the same plane, there is no tendency to tilt the cards when the magnet becomes energized.

The magnet is normally stopped in the Figure 10 position as will be described. When it is reto its normal position to bring the magnet to its horizontal position, after which cam' 61 returned to its normal positionto drop the follower I 81 and springs I01 urgethe magnet to'the Figure 7 position ready for anotheractuation} 1 CONTROL MECHANISM 7 Figures 14 Ito-18f SELECTOR BARS AND OPERATORS As shown inFigure 18 particularly, the key levers I09 are pivoted at III and each key is adapted to raise a selector or stoplbar I 3, the slots II3 therein movingrel'ative tothe guides The forward end of each bar is engaged- ,I I5. by means' of a hook, I I1 with the knifel I9'which is supported in afguide block I20. A detent I2I' holds the bar in the position to which it is set' by the key anda rocker I23, pivotedat I25, may be actuated to reset'the selected'bars andthe knives to their normal positions. I The rocker comprises a master bar I21 common to all of the selector barsr M CLEARING LEVER The shaftl25 and bar I21 extend beyond the frame 2 andscarry a pair of arms I29 WhiCh:eX-.

tend downwardlyand are joined bya pin:I3I at their lower ends. 9 A clearing .lever1l33 is pivotally 30 mounted on a shaft-I in a frame I31- and'has a cam I39 which engages thepin so that when thelever is rotated'to its counterclockwise position; as shown in Figure ,lfigthe rocker willberotated:

clockwise to reset the selector bars; 1 Aspring I4II stretched: between an: ear II3Ion lever I33 and a pin I on the" frame'normally holds the lever in the Figure 15fposition.

STARTING KEY The operation. starting key 141315 pivota'llyl mounted on a-Ishaft ldil supportedby frame I31 and is'v held in its normal, clockwise positionflFig.

15) by spring I5I connected-to a pin 'I 53' -on the,

As soon as. a key bar I09 is depressed, how-f.

ever, its selector 'bar will move to the Figure '15,

position and return the pin to the position shown in that figure which clears the surface I55 so that the key maybe depressed. I I

The starting switch I51 is mounted on the key I41 and its actuating lever I59 contacts a pin I 6I fixed in the frame. Thus when the key I41 is rotated counterclockwise, the switch rotates witli it and is closed; :1

REPEAT KEY 1-.

'The repeatkey IE3 is pivotally mounted on shaft I 35 and is urged-fin aclcck t ise' 'direction f (Figs .f15 and l6) bya spring. I55. f .As shown in Figure l4, the. key is offset at I66 to bring it into alignment with the operating lever I61- ofthe switchI69 which is' mounted onfram e l31, "*an'd isalso curvedupwardly behind shaft I 49 so as to'clear it. w

It' will'be seen from Figure '14 that the clearance, lever I33 also underlies the switch lever I61 so that the switch will be closedthereby'whh lever "I33 is moved to the Figure 16 =positionl WIRING DIAGRAM While the machine may obviously be constructed for operation on directcurrent, the alternatin current .unit'is described herein. The alternating powersupply is' connected with the 'machine through the mains HI and I12.

A switch I13 is connected in the line I1 I.

, Circuit A is established from main I1I through linefI15, rectifier I11, line I19, camswitch 15, line I8I to main I12. Thus the rectifier is energized'in accordance with the operation of the motor. I

fCircuit B is closed by switch I51 controlled by starting key "I41 and extends from main I1I through line I83, normally closed. contacts I oflcamv switch 11, line I81, key switch I51, line I89,'relay magnet I5I, lines I93, I to main I12. This energizes the relay I9I to open the nori mally closed s'witchesfl91 and'203 and closes the 20*n'ormally openswitches I99, 20 I and 205.

Circuit a holding circuit for the relay and parallels switch I51 by wires 201 and 209which a run *from switch 20I on the relay to wires I81 and I89 respectively. Circuit D through the motor armature is set up by switch I99 on the relayas follows: main I1I, line '2II, switch I99, line 2I3, armature 2I5, line 2 I1, magneti of the braking relay 9, line 22I,' field coil 223 of the motor and line 225 to -the'mainI12.'- VI Circuit E which is closed by the contacts 243 on"braking relay 2I9 extends from main I1I through line I15, rectifier I11, line 221, normally I closed relay contact 229," line 239, normallyclosed 35 relay contacts 203; line 24I, closed contacts 243 the positive side of the rectifier I11 through lines 221, 25I, switch 205, line 253, magnet 95- and" line 255 to the negative side of the rectifier.

Circuit G which is controlled by theswitch I69, operated by either the repeat key I63 or the clearing key I33, is conditioned for operation by I the openingof contacts I85 of cam switch 11 and 7 closing of contacts 251. Upon closure of the switch I69, the circuit will be established from main I 1I through line I83, contacts251, line 259, switch I69, line-Z BI the magnet of relay 253 and lines 265 and I95 to main I12.

Normally closed switches 229 and 235 on this relay arefope'ned while normally open switches 23I,233'and231 areclo'sed. I 1

, Ci rcuit H is a holding circuit for, relay 263 which is energized by switch 231 which is connect'ed by wires 261, 269 to wires 259-, 26I to par-' allelswitch I69 which'reopens.

I CircuitijJ from main I12'th'rough wire 21I,

switch 233. and line ,213 extends power to the motorcircuit D described above so that the motor 1 will again start.

7 The circuit J and holding "circuit H are held until cam switch 11 is moved to'its initial position'shown in Figure119,in which contacts 251 are broken and I35are remade.

*Thecam switch 15is'open during this operation so that the rectifier is deenergized.

Circuit K is a short circuit-through the armature of the motor and the braking relay as follows: from the braking relay through line 211, armature 215, line 2l3, cont actsl9"l on-relay l 9l, line 275, contacts 235 on relay 263, lines 211, 249. and part of line 221 to the braking relay.

7 v OPERATION' Assuming that an of the parts are, in their normal positions as described above, that is, the magnet 35 in the Figure '7 position, the cam switches 75 and T? in the positions shown in.

Figure 19 and the clearing lever i33 in the Figure 15 position, theoperator will place a selected file of cards on the machine.

..The ends of the cards Ill will rest upon the ledges9'and 65 while the file I willbe clear of the cards Next the keys I99 spelling out the code of the. cards wantedv will be depressed to raise the cor-j The contacts i953 onthis relay also close the.

motor circuit D to start the motor and since this circuit also includes the magnet of the braking, relay 2L9, this magnet is energized to close its contacts. 243.

The motor 63 will start and reference to the cam diagram (Fig. 13) will show that the first 45-degree revolution of the shaft 65 willmove cam H to close its switch 15. This energizes the circuit A through the rectifier l1] and since the circuit F through the card pulling magnet 95 was closed by switch 205 on relay I91, the magnet will now be energized.

After the shaft has been rotated an additional 15 degrees, approximately, to the (SO-degree position, the cam 61 starts operating the arms 85 to withdraw the electromagnet and the free cards away from the cards which are held by the selector bars [3, in a substantially rectilinear, horizontal path. This action is substantially completed at 225 degrees.

Meanwhile, at about 195 degrees, the cam ll has opened switch 15 and circuit A is broken through the electromagnet.

At about 210 degrees, the cam es picks up lever-l! 'and tilts the magnet and lip 99 so that the cards will be tilted upwardly as shown in Figure 10. This tilting action is complete at about 240 degrees from the start and at this point the cam 13 actuates switch 1'! to open contacts I35 and close contacts 251.

Thev opening of contacts I85 breaks the holding circuit C through relay 19! which is deenergized and breaks the circuit D through, the motor.

a dynamic braking action is applied to the motor to prevent undue coasting of the motor and the,

At the moment the motor circuit is broken,

tacts 243 whichwere closeddurin'g operation of the motor. 7 v

The armature circuit is shorted, as soon as relay l 9lis. deenergized, through circuit K, Sincethis circuit also includes the breaking relay, this relay wilhbe held-energized and its contacts 243 will be held closed until the motor slows sufficiently to reduce the current to the point that the relay opens. The motor is thus braked to a stop and the machine is stopped with the magnet inth Figure 10 position.

The raise dcards are then removed from the file and the switch I69 may be closed either by clearing lever I33 or by repeat key I63.

If'the'lever is-used, all of the bars [3 are returned-to normal. If the repeat key is used, the barswhich were initially set up are held set. The start key cannot be depressed if lever I41 is used because: it is locked out by pin l3l.

In either case,clos ure of switch 169 energizes circuit G to energize relay magnet 263. The switch: 23] on this relay sets up, the holding circuit H which keeps the-relay energized while the switch 233 extends power through circuit J to the motor circuitD to again start the motor and energize braking relay 2l9.

As the motor shaft 65 rotates from about the 285.-degree position to the 315-degree position, the cam 69 will control the tilting of the magnet back to itshorizontal position under the action of gravity and thereafter rotation from the 315 to the 345-degree position will cause cam 61 to advance themagnet to its normal position adjacent the cards. This motion is a'substantially rectilinear, horizontal motion.

At the end of the next '15 degrees, approximately, which represents the full revolution of 360 degrees, the switch contacts 25'! are opened, while i are reclosed, and again the armature is short circuited by circuit K. The rectifier circuit E is also set up and the motor is quickly braked to a stop. This completes'the cycle.

The operation may be restarted by pressing the start'key, if the clearing lever has not been operated. Thus cards of the same code may be sorted from difier'ent trays or an additional key or keys may be operated to change the code on the first ray.

If the clearing lever has been used, new keys I09 will have to be actuated to unlock the start key from control of pin l3l.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the form, structure and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, applicant does not desire to be limited to the specific embodiment disclosed herein primarily for-purposes of illustration; but instead, he desires protection'falling fairly within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim to be new and desire to protect by Letters'Patent of the United States is:

1. In a card sorting mechanism comprising a frame, presettable bars 'movably mounted thereon, means for selectively setting saidbars, means for supportingapack of. cards edgewise above said bars, certain of said. cards having tabsdepending from their lower edges to cooperate with the set bars to prevent endwise movement of these cards while other cards having the tabs adjacent the selectively setbars removed are free to move endwise and armature means mounted at one end of each card, the improvement which comprises a magnet, metallic core means connected with the magnet, partof-said means providing a path for magnetic. flux, means mounting the metallic from'theirlower edgesto cooperate with the set bars to prevent endwise movement of these cards while other cards having the tabs adjacent the selectivelyset bars removed are-free to move endwise and armature means mounted at one-end of each card, the improvement whichrcomprises a; magnet, metallic core means connectedwith the-magnet, part-of said means providing a path *formagnetic fiux,-means mounting the metallic means adjacent saidarmature's, means mounted adjacent the opposite ends of the cards for movement-toward said cards,- also transversely across the ends-of thefcar'ds, means operable at will'for moving said means in said transverse direction to dress them against the-metallic means and means for moving said metallic means away from the ends-of said cards to move the free cards.

3. 1m a card sorting mechanism comprising a frame, presettablebars movably mounted thereon, -n'1eans foraselectively setting said bars, means for-supporting a pack of cards edgewise= above each arm for rotation about an axis substantially normal to the pivotal, axis, means for urging said discs against said ends of the cards and means for moving said ,metallio means away f rom;the I ends of said cards to move the free cards 5, In, a card sorting mechan-ism comprisinga frame, presettable 'bars movably mounted there? on,,means for selectively setting said bars, means for supporting a: pack :ofcards edgewise above said bars, certainof said cardshaving tabs dee pending from their lower edges tocooperate with the set bars-to prevent endvvisemovement of these cards while other cards having. the-tabs adjacent the selectively set, barsremoved are free to move f T n m t r means m unte a ne end of each card, the improvement which cornprises an electromagnet, metallic core means con? nected with the magnet, partof said means pro:

viding a path for. magnetic flux, means mounting said magnet on said frame for movement to and from a positionelosely adjacent the armatures a motor, means operable at will for energizing the motor, first means controlledby the motor for er zing the mae tl n e ate b th motor forwithdrawing the magnet fromits posi; tion adjacent the armatures tovvithdraw the tree cards, said firstmean's serving thereafter to deenergize the magnet, add t onal m ans ope bl by sa d motor fo if i g the w t drawn c d and means under, control off-the motor forstopping the motor.

said bars, '-certain of said cards having tabs' depending from their lower edges to cooperate 'with the set-bars to prevent endwise movement of these cards while other cards having the tabs adjacent the selectively set bars removed are free to move endwise and armature means mounted, at one end of each-card, the improvement-which comprises a magnet, metallic core'means connected with the magnet, part of said-means providing apath for magnetic flux, means mounting the metallic means adjacent saidarmatures, means disposed adjacent the opposite" ends of the cards for dressing them against said .metallic means comprising a number of arms, means for'pivotally "mounting each; arm on the frame for rotation about an axis which is substantially .parallel to said bars; certain of said cardsihaving tabsdee pending from their'lower edges to cooperate'with the set bars to prevent endwise ,movement of these cards while other cardsfhavingi the tabs ad- .jacent the selectivelysetbars removed are free to move endwiseand, armature means mounted at one end of each card, the improvement which comprises a magnet metallic core meansconnected withthe-magnet, part'of said means pro-, viding-a path for magnetic fling, means mounting the metallic means adjacent said armatures, means disposed adjacent the opposite ends of the cards for dressing them againstsaid metallic means comprising a number charms, meansior ivotally mounting each arm on the framefm rotation about an, axis substantially parallel to v the lowerr'edges of. the cards, adisc mounted on I ecard, ineme hani m omnr a-a ame, preset ble ar rmov vmqun ed ere: i a s f t ve ysettine sa d rba tsamean for supporting a pack of cards edgewise-abovesaid bars, certain of said cards having tabs depending from their-lower edges to cooperatewith the set bars to preventendwise movement of these cards while other cards having the tabs adjacent the selectively set bars removedare free to move end wise and armature means mounted at one end of eachcard, the improvementwhich comprises an electromagnet, metallic; core means connected with-'theymagnet, part of said meansprovidinga p for a eti fl x; means imou i h aid magnet on said frame for movement toand from a position closely adjacent the garmatures, a motor, meanspperableat will for 'energizing the motor, first means controlled by the motor for energizing the magnet, means operated by, the motor-forwithdrawing the magnet from its position adjacent the arinatures to withdraw the moton'additional means operable at willaa er said. motor .has been stopped-for restarting 7 motor, means operable thereby for restoring said ,atoneendofleach card,'theimproveme nt which comprises, an electromagnet, metallic corerneans lifting ,-means and 3 said magnet jto -their itzal positions and means for again; stopping the motor. 7..'Ina card-sorting mechanism comprising a frame, presettable bars movably:Inounteolv thereon, means forselectively setting said bars, means forv supporting a pack of cards edgewise above 7 said bars, certain of said cards having tabs de-,

pending from their lower edges to cooperate with the set bars to prevent endvvise movement of thesecards while other cards having the tabs adjacentthe selectively set bars removedare free to movejendwise and armaturemeans mounted connected with the; magnet, part I of said means p o n a p-athf r m gn fifl lx meansme nt;

ing said magnet on said frame'for movement to and from a position closely adjacent the armatures, a motor, means operable at willfor energizing the motor, first means controlled by the motor for energizing the magnet, means operated by the motor for withdrawing the magnet from its position adjacent the armatures to withdraw the free cards, said first means serving thereafter to deenergize the magnet, additional means operable by said motor for lifting the withdrawn cards and means under control ofthe =motor for stopping the motor, said stopping means including means for braking the motor.

8, In a card sorting mechanism comprising a frame, presettable barsmovably'mounted there-' on, means for selectively setting said bars, means for supporting a pack of cards edgewise above said bars, certain of said cards having'tabs depending from their lower edges to cooperate with the set bars toprevent endwisemovement of these cards while other cards having the tabs adjacent the selectively s'et bars removedare free to move endwise and armature means mounted at one end of each card, the improvement which comprisesan electromagnet, metallic core means connected with the magnet-part ofsaidmeans providing a path for magnetic flux,-means mounting said magnet on said'frame formovement to and from a position closely-adjacent the 'armatures, a motor, means operableat'will for energizing the motor, first means controlled by the motor for energizing the magnet, means operated by the motor for withdrawing the magnet'rromits'position adjacent the armatures to withdraw the free cards, said first means serving thereafter to deenergize the magnet, additionalmeans operable by said motor for lifting the withdrawncards and means under control of the motor fo'r'stopping the motor, said motor having anarmature and field, said stopping means including means for short circuiting the armature of the motor and means'for applying direct current tothe field.

9. In a card sorting mechanism comprising a frame, presettable bars movably mounted thereon, means for selectivelysetting-saidbars; means for'supporting a pack of cards edgewi'seeabove said bars, certainof said cards having tabs-depending from their-lower edges -to coop'erate"with the set bars top revent endwise movement of'these cards while other cards having the tabs *adjacent the selectively set: bars removedare free to move endwise 'andarmature means mounted at one end ofeach card, the improvement which comprises an electromagnet, metallic "core means connected with the'magnet, part of said means providing a path for magnetie fluxgme'ans mounting'said'magnet on said frame for movement to and from a position closelyadjacent :thefarmatures, a motor, a relay, means operable at will for energizing said relay, rheanscontr'olle'd by the relay for starting the motor, magnet operating means actuated bythe motorfor withdrawing the magnet from the card pack to withdrawthe free cards therefrom, lifting-meansoperated by the motor for thereafter lifting said withdrawn cards and means operatedby themotor for deenergizingsaid relayto deenergi'ze the motor.

- 10. Inacardsorting mechanism comprising a frame,-presettable bars movably'mounted thereon, means-for selectively setting said bars, means for supporting a pack of cards edgewis'e above said bars,-certain of'said cardshaving tabs depending from their lower'edgesto cooperatewith the set bars -to prevent end wise -move'ment-"of these cards While'othercards having meats-acjacent the selectively set bars'removed are f-ree' to move endwise and armature means mounted atone end of each card, the improvement which comprises an electromagnet, metallic core means connected with the magnet, part of said 'means providing a path for magnetic fiux,'mean's mounting said magnet on said frame for "movement to and from a posi-tion'closely adjacent the armatures, a motor, a relay, meansoperable at will-for energizing saidrelay, means controlled by therelay for starting the motor, magnet operating means actuated by thev motor for withdrawing the magnet from the card pack to withdrawthe free cards therefrom, lifting means operated by the motor for thereafter lifting said withdrawn cards, means operated by the motor fordeenergizing said relay to deenergize the motor and means responsive to the deenergization of the relay for braking the motor.

11. In a card sorting mechanism comprising-a frame, presettable bars movably mounted there-- on, means for selectively setting'said bars, means for supporting a pack of cards edgewise above said bars, certain of said cards having' tabs-dependingfrom their lower edges tocooperate with the set bars to prevent endwise movement of these cards while'other cards having thetabsadjacent the selectivelyset-bars removed arefree-to-movc endwise and armature means mounted at one end of each card, theimprovementwhich comprises an electromagnet, metallic core means connected with the magnet, part of said meansjprovidinga path for magnetic flux, means mounting --said magnet/on said framefor movement to and from a position closely adjacent the armatures, a motor, a first relay, means operable at will: for energizing said relay, means controlled by-the relay for starting 'the -motor, 'magnet operating means actuated by-themotor for-withdraw-ing-the magnet from the card'pa'ckto withdraw-the free cards therefrom, lifting means operatedby the motor for thereafter lifting said withdrawn 'carjds, means operated by the motor for deenergizing said relay to deenergize themotor, a-second relay, means; operated by the relay "de'ener-gizing'means for conditioning said second relay forenergization, second means operable at will-for-energizing said second'relay, meansoperable bycsaid second relay for reenergizing said-motor, said motor serving to return said card lifting means and said magnet operating means to: their initial ositions, said deenergizing means servingrthereafter to deenergize said second, relay and condition the first relay for energizationand means responsive to deenergization of the second relay for deenergizing the motor.

12. In a card sorting mechanism comprising-a frame, presettable bars movably" mounted thereon, means for selectively settingsaid-bars'means for supporting a pack of cards "edgewise "above said bars, certain of said cards having tabs depending from theirlower edges to-cooperate'w-ith the set bars to 'prevent endw-ise: movement of thesecards whileoth'e'r cardshaving the tabs-adjacent the selecti'vely set bars removedare free to move endwise and" armature means' mounted at one end of each card, the improvement which comprises an 'electro'mag'net, metal-lie core means connected with the magnet, part of said means providing a path for magnetic flux, meansmounting said magnet -on' saidfra'me' for movement to and from a-position closely adjacent the armatures, a motor, a first relay, means operable at will for 'ene'rgiz'ing said relay, means, controlled by the relay forstarting themoton magnet opera'ting means actuated bythe motori forewith' drawing the magnet from thecard packtowithgizing means serving thereafter to \de'energize said second relay and condition:thmfirst-relayior energization, means responsive to deenergization of the second relay, forpdeenergizing the motor, motor braking means and means responsive to the deenergization of said second relay for rendering said motor braking means 1 effective.

13. In a card sorting mechanism comprising a frame-,presettable bars movablymounted thereon; means for selectively setting said bars, means for supporting a pack of cards edgewise above said bars, certain of said cards having 'tabstdepending from their lower edges tocooper'ateiwith the set bars to prevent endwise movement of these cards while other cards having the tabs adjacent the selectively set bars removed are free to move endwise and armature means mounted at one nected with the magnet, part of said means pro- .viding a path for magnetic flux, means mounting said magnet on said frame for movement to and from a position closely adjacent the armatures,

a motor, a relay, a switch operable at will for energizing said relay, a relay operatedswitch for starting the motor, a first cam driven by the motor, a follower for the cam connected to the .magnet and serving to' withdraw the magnet from the card pack to withdraw free cards therefrom, a second cam and a follower therefor, means operable by said second follower for lifting'th'e switch cam operable by the motor foroperating said selector switch to its second position, a second-switch operable at will for thereafter enerwithdr'awn cards, a selector switch and a switch cam operable by the motor for operating said selector switch to deenergize said relay, said relay operated switch serving to thereupon de'energize the motor.

14. In a card sorting mechanism comprising a ,end of eachcard, the improvement which comprises an electromagnet, metallic core means conframe, presettable bars movably mounted thereon, means for selectively setting said bars, means for supporting a pack of cards edgewise above said bars, certain of said cards having tabs depending from their lower edges to cooperate with the setbars to prevent endwise movement of these cards while other cards having the tabs adjacent an electromagnet, metallic core means connected with the magnet, part of said means providing a path for magnetic flux, means mounting said magnet on said frame for movement to and from a position closely adjacent the armatures, amotor, a first relay, a switch operable at will for energizing said relay, a relay operated switch for starting the motor, a first cam driven by the motor, a follower for the cam connected to the magnet and serving to withdraw the magnet from the card the selectively set bars removed are free to move endwise and armature means mounted at one end of each card, the improvement which comprises cam operable by the motorffor .openingisaid: first switch to deenergizesaid first relay, :a, second relay, a second switch connectedtoicontrol:the second relay and'operable by'the' third-scamlr-to condition the second relay.v for operation,a third switch operable at will for thereafter energizing said second-relay and a second relay. operated switch .for reenergizing said motor, said second cam and first cam serving thereupon, to return .the lifting and withdrawing followers respectively to their initial positions, said third cam serving thereafter to operate said relay control switches todeenergize the second relay and condition the first relay for subsequent operation, said second relay operated switchserving to deenergize said motor. l I

15.- In a card sorting mechanism comprising a frame, presettable bars movably mounted thereon,v means for selectively setting: said bars, means for supporting a pack of cards edgewise above said bars, certain of said cards having-tabs dependingirfrom their lower edges-to cooperate with the' set bars to prevent endwise movement of these cards while other cardszhaving the tabs adjacent the selectively. set bars removed are free to move endwise and armaturejm'eans'mountedat one end of each-card, the improvement'which comprises j an electromagnet, metallic core means connected with the magnet, part of said means providing a path for magnetic flux, means mounting said magnet on said frame for movement to andfrom a position closely adjacent the armatures, 'a motor,

a first relay, a switch operable at will for energizing said relay, a relay operated'switch for starting the motor, a first cam driven by the gizing said second relay, a second relay operated switch for reenergizing said motor, said second cam and first cam serving to return the lifting v and withdrawing followers respectively to their initial positions, said switch cam serving thereafter to operate said selector'switch to its first position, said second relay operated switch serving to deenergize said motor, said motor having armature coils and field coils, first andsecond normally closed switches on each relay, a braking re-V .lay, said braking relay and the armature coils being connected in series with said first normally closed switches to form a closed circuit when said normally closed switches are closed, a resistance,

'a pair of normally open contacts on the braking said bars, certain of .saidcards having tabs depending from their lower edges to cooperate with the set bars to prevent endwise movement of these cards while other cards having the tabs adjacent W HWW :theselectively: set barslremoved are. freecfto: move endwise and armature means mounted, at one @end of each card, the improvement which comprises a magnet, metallic core means connected with themagnet, part ofesaid means providing a v.pathflfor magnetic flux, means for mountingthe metallic means adjacent said armatures, means disposed 'adjacenttheopposite ends of the cards .for dressing themagainst said metallic means comprising a number ofarmsvmeans for'pivotally means forlifting'the metallic means-to raise said withdrawn'freezcards above the level: of the'pack. 1'7. In .a card sorting mechanismcomprisinga frame, presettable bars movablymounted there .on, means for selectively setting said bars-means for supporting a pack of cards edgewise. about saidbars, certain of said cards having tabs dependingfrom their lower edges'to cooperate with the set-barstoprevent endwisemovementof these cards while other cards having-the tabs adjacent the selectively asetbarsiremoved are free to move .prisesiamagnet,:metallic core means connected with themagnet, part oi'said: means providing a path: lfor" magnetic flux, means mounting the metallic means adjacent said armatures, means mounted adjacent'the opposite endsof the cards for movement'toward: said cards, also transversely .acrossth'e ends of the cards, means operable at will for moving said aneansin said' transverse direetionato dressithemagainSt themetallic means, means. for:movingsaidrmetallic means away frcm the lends'ofl said cards 'tormovezthe'free cards, and means for :lifting; :the metallic means to raise saidwithdrawnireeccards:above thelevel of the pack.

OLIVER J. SCHOWEMER.

References Cited in the 'file-o'f this patent UNITED .S'IATES- PATENTS Number Name :Date

1,865,308 Evans-ct al. June28, 1932 35 2,002,807 Whitson May 28, v1935 2,269,767 Jayne. Jan. 13, 1942 2,495,491 Whitson Jan. 24, 1950 

